http://news.inq7.net/regions/index.php?ind...&story_id=63192


‘Ang Pangulo’ burns; 4 injured
First posted 03:05am (Mla time) Jan 17, 2006
Inquirer


CAMP VICENTE LIM, LAGUNA—A 10-minute fire damaged the presidential yacht BRP Ang Pangulo while it was undergoing repair at a pier in Bauan, Batangas on Saturday, the Inquirer learned yesterday.

A report reaching this camp said the fire started at around 6:30 a.m. It was put out about 10 minutes later by responding firemen.

The vessel was undergoing repair at the Keppel Dry Dock in Barangay San Miguel when the fire broke out, the report said.

It said investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

But a source told the Inquirer that a short circuit in the main engine of the vessel started the fire.

The source added that the Presidential Security Group barred arson investigators from entering the yacht.

For still unknown reasons, the PSG personnel deployed in the area instructed even the local police not to divulge the incident to the media, the source said.

“The PSG said the directive came from Malacañang,” the source told the Inquirer.

Four Navy personnel were slightly injured as they helped put out the fire. The Navy said the yacht suffered “minor damages.”

In a statement, the Philippine Navy said Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga, Navy chief, has ordered an investigation.

The fire damaged the boat’s airconditioning unit, water pipes, electrical wiring, dust catcher room, skylight openings and sight glass for reserve tanks and pressure gauges.

The VIP and other rooms were spared from the fire.

The Navy said the boat could have been destroyed had not its watches acted immediately.

The watches, who were on routine inspection, noticed smoke near the access door to the main and auxiliary engine rooms, according to the initial report submitted by the Ang Pangulo commanding officer, Commander Gaudencio Collado Jr.

The watches failed to control the fire with extinguishers. They were joined by the crew and shipyard personnel in putting out the fire.

Firefighters from the Bauan Bureau of Fire Protection and the crew of other boats in the shipyard also helped put out the fire.

The Ang Pangulo (or AT 25) has been undergoing repairs at the Keppel Batangas Shipyard in Bauan, Batangas since November.

The repairs are expected to be finished in February.

The Philippine government bought the yacht for $3 million in 1959. It can accommodate up to 400 people.

The yacht became controversial when, in August 1998, then President Joseph Estrada announced that private donors pooled P100 million to give it a facelift.

In January 2001, President Macapagal-Arroyo said she would sell all presidential luxury assets, including the Ang Pangulo, to generate revenue, but the boat remained in government hands.

The government tried to sell it for $5.5 million, but there were no takers.

They should better auction it with that amount as reserved. It could fetched a higher price.

sound suggestion saver, but if still no one bites, sell the damn thing as scrap...at least we can save the maintenance and repair allocation for that useless ship

Anybody got this vessel's specs and features? Maybe we can help post it for auction and help the PN dispose of it in a way not disadvantageous for our gov't. Photos of it and its interior would be nice. I understand this was renovated during Erap's time. Sir Manokski?

What's the status of this vessel? Extent of damages and how much it would cost the gov't to make it operational?

Ate Glu now has "other plans" for the BRP Ang Pangulo...


GMA envisions BRP Ang Pangulo as another Mercy
By Roel Pareño
The Philippine Star 06/12/2006


ZAMBOANGA CITY - Impressed by the medical facilities of the USNS Mercy and noting the widespread need of medical assistance by poor Filipinos, President Arroyo is considering turning the presidential ship Ang Pangulo into a floating hospital similar to the Mercy, an official said.

Mrs. Arroyo started to entertain the idea following her visit to the USNS Mercy in Jolo island and saw the value of having that kind facility, according to National Security Adviser Secretary Norberto Gonzales.

Gonzales, who accompanied the President, told newsmen at the Lantaka Hotel here how Mrs. Arroyo noticed there was an urgent need for medical attention specially in the far-flung areas accessible only by ship, like Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and other islands in the country

"I think she’s considering that maybe Ang Pangulo can be used as something similar, not necessarily in the same category (of the USNS Mercy)," Gonzales said.

While the US named the former oil tanker Mercy, local media here suggested the Ang Pangulo can be named as RPNS (Naval Ship) Gloria, which sounds like mercy.

But Gonzales refused to second-guess saying that the people can suggest the name of the Philippine version of the US Mercy.

However, Gonzales said that personally he will not be surprised if suddenly the Ang Pangulo becomes a hospital ship.

Allaying budgetary concerns, Gonzales assured that the government is capable of running one floating emergency hospital.

"If ever, I think what you will do is something that you are capable of sustaining it in small scale," Gonzales said.

Gonzales also said more non-government organizations can be tapped to help sustain the program even as he cited Filipinos as known for coming and responding to calls for assistance and help.

"I believe if Ang Pangulo becomes a medical ship we will not run out of medical volunteers," he said.

A mobile and floating clinic had been tried before in a small scale in the late 1980s but this was not sustained. Gonzales said he was not sure what went wrong.

The reason why I ask since this will involve renovations, right?

Since Erap's time it was refurbished may times for "other purposes" which before it getting burned could have been sold at a higher price. With the money from the sale we could buy dedicated ships like the Tenix SAR Class or more second hand vessels.

Same goes with the Presidential Fokker, still no takers? We could get C-130s and C-47s for its sale.

GMA's move to have it become an improvised hospital ship is creditable on her intentions and I salute her for that.

However, this ship's present size and capabilities should also be taken into consideration (and as a yacht) especially since it's been laid down since the 50's and a donation to us from Japan. In so many words, it is not capable for such a task despite the good intentions. Tantalus is right on the money to scrap this floating hazard and reserve the funds from it for whatever it can be channeled through (it doesn't matter where).

We got too many floating junks and they are really not essential to our national defense or intentions. I've said it before and I'll say it again, you just don't hoist your ensign and think to believe that this is your naval asset unless it can at least do the task it is assigned for.

Our Peackock classes are in all actuallity patrol vessels and not corvettes. Don't get too spun up the axle thinking they are something more. They are not designated for such a class and are incapable to do such a function. They can only patrol and that's it.

The bottom line will be funding again for a better fleet, but please be aware that it is more of a sacrifice to our willing Sailors who are willing to bring these junks out to sea and not the vessels themselves.

These serving and brave few Sailors deserve the best who are protecting our freedoms. Patriotism is foolish unless you provide these brave souls the more than deserved proper equipment to accomplish that mission. Unless you yourselves are willing to make that ultimate sacrifice.

Hell, at least a suicide bomber has a better chance of inflicting damage to their enemy. Our floating junks are more of a hazard to itself to its Sailors onboard, than the enemy forces sinking it!

The ship apparently has been repaired and rehabiltated, the Prez has ordered the Ang Pangulo to deliver relief goods for Typhoon Frank victims:

GMA orders use of BRP Ang Pangulo in delivery of relief goods

By Marvin Sy
Wednesday, July 2, 2008

With so much relief goods coming in from local and international donors for the victims of typhoon Frank, President Arroyo has ordered the use of the presidential yacht BRP Ang Pangulo as a mobile logistics hub for the distribution of these goods.

During the National Disaster Coordinating Council meeting at the Iloilo airport, the President said the presidential helicopters have also been involved in the rescue operations since day one and now that the transport of the relief goods has become an issue, the presidential yacht would be utilized for this purpose.

“Because there is now a lot of relief goods coming from all over, it’s transport that is now the problem. From day one the presidential helicopters were involved in the rescue, now the presidential yacht is also going to be used as a moving logistics hub,” she said.

Earlier, Defense Secretary and NDCC chairman Gilbert Teodoro said the government is experiencing some problems with the transport of relief goods to the affected areas because of limited air resources.

All of the Armed Forces of the Philippines C-130 planes are already being utilized to transport the goods, and even the United States Navy has provided helicopters to assist in the relief efforts.

Teodoro noted that roll-on, roll-off ferries have also been utilized to transport the goods by sea.

Some commercial shipping companies have also offered to help transport the goods on their vessels.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headline...aid=20080701143

the old name of BRP Ang Pangulo was RPS Lapu-Lapu, the Flagship of the Philippine navy. see old Time magazine article below:

Welcome Aboard

The sleek, 2,200-ton yacht Lapu Lapu knifed across Tokyo Bay on a trial run at 17 knots, and in her wake eddied a succession of troubles for Carlos Garcia, President of the Philippine Republic. One of 15 ocean-going vessels to be built by the Japanese as war reparations to the Philippines, the Lapu Lapu* cost $2,500,000, is 275 feet long and powered by diesel engines. She will carry a crew of 92, and has room for 48 passengers.

In Manila the magazine Philippines Free Press questioned Garcia's need of a presidential yacht at a time when he is urging austerity on his fellow countrymen. Diosdado Macapagal, Garcia's Vice President and political enemy, promised that if he won the next presidential election he would sell the yacht, because she "is a symbol of extravagance at the height of the people's economic suffering."

In Tokyo the clamor had its effect. Newsmen were at first curtly refused permission to go aboard the yacht while Filipino officers and men were being trained to handle her. Then newsmen were suddenly invited to explore the Lapu Lapu "from end to end." Explained a Filipino official to reporters: "The Lapu Lapu is not a presidential yacht. It is a navy ship." An aide tried to warn him: "If you do not give the press the entire truth, they will ferret it out." "But," replied the first official, "if I give the wrong facts who will be blamed?" At that point a reporter interrupted them: "If this is a navy ship, why are the chairs marked 'President's chairs?' " Said the second official to the first: "There, you see? I told you!"

President Garcia himself seemed to be almost as wavering as his Tokyo officials. He first declared that the presidential yacht was necessary for "safety, prestige and speed'' in his island-hopping tours, and added that, anyway, the Lapu Lapu was not costing the nation scarce dollars, and could be used by his presidential successors as well as himself. As criticism mounted, Garcia designated the Lapu Lapu as "flagship" of the Philippine navy (making her. apparently, the only unarmed fleet flagship in the world). He promised that she would be available for "mercy missions" in case of typhoons, tidal waves and such.

Time Magazine Feb 23, 1959
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/...,825583,00.html

i say WE sell her (ang pangulo), she's an added cost for the navy to operate in the first place (the yatch is old and not updated to present standards)... the proceeds of the selling of this yatch may be included in funding other navy projects like rebuilding a container ship into a MERCY SHIP...

President Aquino tried to sell the Pangulo during its stay in Hong Kong. No takers back then in the late 80s and 90s.

then SCRAP IT, rather than this old hulk just floats along the docks of Manila... still cost higher to use and operate...

Just a bit of history about this ship. Before it had the White and Blue paint scheme, The BRP Ang Pangulo had a navy Gray paint scheme. The bow number I distinctly remember was 777. Correct me if I'm wrong, I was told that it replaced the then RPS Mount Samat who used to be the presidential yatch. The BRP Ang Pangulo used to be the RPS The President. Trivia hehehe...

Would it be possible for the Ang Pangulo to be converted into OPV? Other than adding weapons, what other changes to be made to make this ship into a patrol vessel?

Lets quit on the BRP Pangulo, its older than myMom, and refurbishments done by the years, would have actually amounted to a new yacht instead,or an OPV for the PN. That boat, the least for what its worth can only be good for a Mercy mission or transport, not an OPV or even a presidential yacht kasi nakakahiya napakluma na for us to have it called us such,much less invbite dignitaries on board without giving them life insurances,hehe

If too sentimental for sale as scrap, convert it into a museum na lang.

then convert it into a MERCY SHIP or a small hospital and SAR ship...

maybe we should turn it to a museum ship just like the ship of royal family in the UK hehhehe added money for the Navy

during the time of President Marcos, the BRP Ang Pangulo had 2 gun tubs forward of the bridge. each tub had a 20 or 40mm gun.

Nasaan na ba ito ngayon? Sana nga ginawa na lang tourist attraction or mission ship for relief and disaster. O di kaya maging floating school.

PGMA leads renaming of B.R.P. Ang Pangulo to B.R.P. Ang pag-asa

MARCH 5, 2009 Gov.ph news


President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will lead tomorrow (Friday) the commemoration of the 50th Commissioning Anniversary of the Presidential Yacht B.R.P. Ang Pangulo and its renaming to B.R.P. Pag-asa at Pier 13 of the South Pier.

The renaming of the vessel is meant to reflect the hope it has often brought with it on its numerous missions around the country, particularly in times of calamity and natural disaster.

The event is hosted by the Philippine Navy, which uses the vessel as an auxiliary transport.

The President will unveil the historical marker at the quarterdeck, after which, she will proceed to the 2nd deck level for the renaming ceremonies.

She will then witness the casing of the ship’s official seal as B.R.P. Pangulo and then the casing of the ship’s new official seal as B.R.P. Pag-asa.

The President will then proceed to the 3rd deck level for the unveiling of the ship’s new name plate “Pag-asa.”

The vessel was built in Japan as part of that country’s war reparations to the Philippines. At the initiative of President Carlos P. Garcia, the vessel was designed specifically for use as a presidential yacht by Filipino naval engineers, and was christened with its original name of R.P.S. Lapu-Lapu and commissioned into the Navy on March 7, 1959 as its flagship, a status it held until December, 1961.

President Diosdado Macapagal in the following year ordered its conversion to a naval troop transport, renaming it R.P.S. Roxas after the fifth President of the Philippines in rites led by Mrs. Trinidad Roxas.This was the first time a navy ship had been named in honor of a president.

Later the vessel was renamed R.P.S. The President and then B.R.P. Ang Pangulo by President Ferdinand E. Marcos, who restored its use as the presidential yacht, a status it has retained in all succeeding presidencies to the present day.

President Macapagal himself used another, older, presidential yacht, the R.P.S. Santa Maria, which he renamed R.P.S. Pag-Asa, the name by which it had also been called a decade earlier under President Ramon Magsaysay. This ship was later decommissioned by the Navy in 1993.

It is in honor of these earlier periods under Presidents Magsaysay and Macapagal, and to emphasize its service to the people throughout the archipelago, that the B.R.P. Ang Pangulo has been renamed B.R.P. Pag-Asa by President Arroyo.

As it has throughout the Arroyo administration and over its 50 year life, the vessel, operated by Naval Taskforce “Sealion”, continues at the President’s instruction to carry out relief and medical missions all over the islands, aid in emergency search and rescue efforts, perform naval functions, promote tourism, culture and local products, as well as serve the presidency and the government.

The following is the text of a historical marker to be unveiled by the President during the 50th anniversary ceremonies:

B.R.P. PAG-ASA (AT-25)

THE PRESIDENTIAL YACHT

One of 15 ocean-going vessels provided by the Government of Japan as part of war reparations to the Republic of the Philippines during the administration of President Carlos P. Garcia, what was first called Bow No. 77 was designed as the Presidential Yacht by Filipino naval engineers and built at the Ishikawajima Dry-Docks in Tokyo.

Its keel was laid at the Harume Yard on July 16, 1958 and the vessel was launched on October 16 of that year. Sea trials were conducted under Lt. Cmdr. Manuel Mandapat PN, its first commanding officer, on February 9 and 10, 1959. It was designated the flagship of the Philippine Navy by President Garcia through Executive Order on February 13, 1959, and delivered to the Philippine Government on February 28. It was christened R.P.S. Lapu-Lapu (PY-77) and commissioned into the Philippine Navy on March 7. On April 2, the vessel arrived in Manila.

The first presidential engagement held aboard took place on April 7, 1959, and the ship’s first mission, a trade and cultural floating exposition with ports of call in Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, was carried out from April 19 to June 4, 1959. The vessel has since been extensively used for relief, emergency search and rescue, patrol, auxiliary transport and command vessel purposes in addition to performing its duties to the presidency and the government. Many distinguished persons, including General Douglas Macarthur on his sentimental journey in 1961, and numerous heads of state and government, have been aboard as official guests.

Flagship status was revoked by President Diosdado Macapagal on December 31, 1961, and the vessel was renamed R.P.S. Roxas (TP-71) on October 9, 1962, the first instance of a naval ship being named in honor of a Philippine president. It was renamed R.P.S. The President (TP-777) by President Ferdinand E. Marcos on January 11, 1967 and renamed anew as B.R.P. Ang Pangulo (TP-777) on July 1, 1971. Its hull number was altered to AT-25 by President Corazon C. Aquino on September 24, 1986. From 1998 to 2000, extensive refurbishment took place under President Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

On March 6, 2009, the eve of its 50th commissioning anniversary, the ship was renamed B.R.P. Pag-Asa (AT-25) by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in fitting ceremonies celebrating an outstanding legacy of service to the Republic.

The marker was provided by the Office of the President through the Malacañang Museum, in coordination with the National Historical Institute.

And, since its Friday, the President, who is now the climate czar, will also inspect and will be given a briefing by Commander Galang on the waste management project of the BRP Ang Pag-asa.

IMHO, the most warlike configuration possible for the BRP pangulo is either "command ship" or "attack transport". both of these roles , it has already taken on before.

I have seen a 1960s photo of the BRP pangulo with 2 gun tubs forward of the superstructure. and each tub with a 40mm bofors gun. i imagine there were also guns in the rear.

during the mischief reef crisis in the mid-1990s, President Ramos used the BRP pangulo as a command ship in palawan. you can think of a command ship as a ship crammed with communications equipment used for orchestrating a fleet or task force. its already a given that this ship being the president's yacht has better than the average communications equipment compared to other PN ships.

in the attack transport role, it either has to dock at a deep wharf to unload troops or to unload troops onto a smaller ampib craft, e.g. LCVP, RHIBs, etc ....in older books you will see the BRP pangulo reffered to as AT-25 where the "AT" stands for attack transport.

here is an example of an american command ship:
http://navysite.de/ships/lcc19.htm

well, it can probably be used a a light OPV fisheries patrol vessel, but not as a regular OPV, it would be too tempting a target for the enemy since its the floating symbol of the president specially knowing that is is lightly armed

hence, its better off as a hospital ship or maybe command ship out of harm's way.

USS Dapdap (YFB-684) was a United States Navy working launch in service from 1908 to 1942.

Dapdap (YFB-684), a working launch, was attached to the Naval Station, Cavite, Philippine Islands, or the 16th Naval District from 1908 to 1942.

Dapdap was lost, 2 January 1942, to Japanese forces during the conquest of Luzon Island.

She was stricken from the Navy List on 24 July 1942.

BRP PANGULO :banana: